Folding bed



J1me 30, 1931. R. H. HUTCHINS 1,811,936

pomamegsn Filed July 12 1930 5 sheets-sheet 1 4 dig! 3 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. H. HUTCHINS FOLDING BED Filed July 12 1930 June 30, 1931.

'5 Sheets-Sheet s .YIW 7% June 30, 1931. R. H. HUTCHINS FOLDING BED Filed-July .12 950 In Zakl'ns R. H. HUTCHINS June 30, 1931.

FOLDING BED 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 12. 1930 Z8 lm enfor RHu all June 30, 1931. R. H. HUTCHINS 1,811,936

FOLDING BED Filed July 12 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Z fiLHuchins Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES 7 ROBERT H. HUTOHINS, (BF-MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE FOLDING BED Application filed July 12, 1930. Serial No. 487,567.

This invention relates to folding beds of the sofa or davenport type, and has for one of its objects to improve and simplify the general construction of beds of this charac a ter and to provide one which shall be adapted to be easily and quickly opened or closed, which shall be comfortable and highly attractive in appearance when closed or opened and which shall be strong and durable and i capable of being manufactured and sold at comparatively low cost.

The invention has for a further object to provide a bed of the character stated which shall embody an upholstered back adapted when the bed is open to form a part of the bottom thereof, and which shall embody a seat adapted to support the loose cushion or cushions and adapted when the bed is open to form a panel for the foot thereof.

The invention has for a further object to provide a bed of the character stated wherein the bottom shall, in addition to said first part or head section thereof, embody a foot section and an intermediate section, and (I wherein said foot and intermediate sections shall, when the bed is closed,be adapted to occupy a position one above the other-with suflicient space therebetweento accommodate the bedding.

The invention has for a further object to provide a bed of the character stated which shall embody a frame, means for mounting the foot and intermediate bed bottom sections on the frame in a manner to arrange the foot section above the intermediate section and to permit the foot section to be slid forwardly and the intermediate section to be raised into alinement with the foot section and thereafter slid forwardly during the 40 opening of the bed, and means for mounting the head section to permit it to extend upwardly from the foot and intermediate sections when the latter sections are arranged one over the other and to permit it to be lowered into alinem'ent with said sections when they are in extended relation.- 7

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the nature of which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of the bed in folded condition;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on a plane extending vertically and transversely through the folded bed;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale illustrating the mounting means for the foot section of the bed bottom in partly projected position and the mounting means for the intermediate bed bottom section in partly raised and partly projected position; 7

Figure l is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 44 of Figure 3, the intermediate bed bottom section and one of the intermediate legs of the 1, bed being shown in this view; 7

Figure 5 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken on aplane extending vertically and centrally through the bed in opened condition; i

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale illustrating the mounting means for the foot section of the bed bottom in fully projected position and the mounting means for the intermediate bed bottom section in fully raised and project'edposition;

Figure 7 is a sectionalview taken on the vertical planes indicated by the line 77 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the vertical plane indicated by the line 88 of Figure 6; V

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the vertical planes indicated'by the line 99 of Figure 2; a v

Figure 10 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken on the vertical plane indicated by the line 101O of Figure 5 with the head sec tion of the bed bottom omitted;

Figure 11 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale illustrating the means for mounting the head section of the bed bottom, and

Figure 12 is a view on an enlarged scale in rear elevation of aportion of the head section of the bed bottom and the mounting means for said section.

The bed comprises a horizontally arranged open frame 1 of elongated formation in plan and supported by feet 2, a head 3 extending upwardly from the rear side of the frame and fixedly secured thereto, and a foot l positioned at the front side of the frame. The foot 4 consists of an open frame 4: which extends from the upper to the lower side of the frame 1, and posts 5 whichextend above and below the frame 4?.

Arms 6 extend upwardly from the ends of the frame and forwardly from the ends of the H head 3, and are provided in their front edges with recesses 6a for the reception of the, posts 5. A seat 7 is removably positioned upon the frame, cushions 8 are removably positioned upon the seat, and a back 9 is recessed in the head 8. These parts constitute a sofa when the bed is closed, and are upholstered as shown.

The bed comprises metal side rails 10 consisting of fixed head sections 10a, and movable, intermediate and foot sections 10 and 10, respectively, and having their fixed sections 1O secured to the inner sides of the ends 1a of the frame 1. The rail sections 10, 10 and 10 are of channel formation, the rail sections 106 are slidably mounted in the rail sections 10a, and the rail sections 100 are slidably mounted in the rail sections 10, to the end that the rail sections 10?) and 100 may be moved forwardly when it is desired to open the bed and moved rearwardly when it is desired to close the bed. The rail sections 106 are held against lateral displacement from the rail sections 10a by machine screws 11 engaged with the rail sections 1O near the front ends of the latter and passing through slots 12 formed in and extending longitudinally of the rail sections 10". The rail sections 10 are held against lateral displacement from the rail sections 101) by machine screws 13 engaged with the rail sections 106 near the front ends of the latter and passing through slots 14 formed in and extending longitudinally of the rail sections 10. The screws 11 cooperate with the end walls of the slots 12 to limit the forward and rearward movement of the rail sections 10?) with respect to the rail sections 10 Cap screws 15, which are secured to the rail sections 10 rearwardly of the screws 13 and have their heads arranged in the slots 14:, cooperate with the rear end walls of these slots to limit the forward movement of the rail sections 100 with respect to the rail sections 10b, and the screws 15 cooperate with the front end walls of the slots to limit the rearward movement of the rail sections 1O with respect to the rail sections 10b. he screws 11 are secured to the side walls of the rail sections 10a, the screws 13 and 15 are secured to the side walls of the rail sections 10?),

and the slots 12 and 1.4: are formed in the side walls of the rail sections 106 and 100.

A sleeve 16 is arranged between the rear ends of the rail sections 100, and is secured at its ends to the bottom walls of these sections, as at 17. A shaft 18 is journaled in the sleeve 16 and is provided at its ends with pinions 19 which pass through openings 20 formed in the bottom walls of the rail sections 100 and engage openings 21 formed in the bottom walls of the rail sections 10 to the end that these sections may be moved forwardly and rearwardly with respect to each other and to the rail sections 10 without binding.

The foot 4 is secured to the front ends of the rail sections 10 and supports the front end of the side rails 10 when the rails are extended. hen the side rails 10 are eXtended, the seat 7 is arranged at the front side of the foot at between the posts 5, and is supported by brackets 22 from the frame etc so as to provide a panel for the foot. The bed 10 is releasably held in closed condition by spring catches 23 secured to the frame 1 and headed keepers 2 1 secured to the foot 1.

The bed comprises a bottom which consists of a head section 25, a foot section 26, and an intermediate section 27. The bottom sections 25, 26 and 27 are similar and each comprises metal slats 28, springs 29 secured to the slats, an open metal frame 30 secured to the springs, and covers 31 secured to the frame. The covers 31 are removably secured to the frame 30 by hooks 32 which are secured by tabs 33 to the covers and are engaged with the frames.

The head section 25 of the bed bottom is carried by the rear side of the back 9 which is pivotally' supported so as to permit it to be lowered into alinement with the bed bot tom sections 26 and 27. The means for pivotally supporting the back 9 comprises brackets 3a which are secured to and extend upwardly from the rear side 1 of the frame 1 and are provided in their upper ends with downwardly and inwardly inclined slots 35, and arms 36 which extend downwardly and rearwardly from the lower rear edge of the back 9 and are provided at their lower or free ends with pivots 37 engaging in the slots 35. The back 9 is arranged partly in the recess 3) formed in the head 3, and is releasably supported in raised position by a headed keeper 38 secured to the head-3 and a spring catch 39 secured to the back and engaging the keeper.

'The foot section 26 of the bed bottom is carried by the foot rail sections 10, and is secured to these rail sections through the medium of its slats 28.

The intermediate section 27 of the bed bottom is connected through the medium of its slats 28 to horizontal bars 40 which are pivotally connected at their rear ends, as at III ' at their lower ends, as at 47, to the ends 1a ofthe frame 1. The levers 44 and lever frame 45 support the bed bottom section 27 for upward and forward movement and for clownward and rearward movement so as to permit it to occupy a position within the frame 1 when the bed is closed and to'occupy a position partly out of the frame and in alinement with the bed bottom sections and 26 when the bed is opened.

hen the bed is closed, the bed bottom section 25 occupies an upright position within the recess 3 of the head 3, the bed bottom section 26 is arranged immediately above the frame 1, and the bed bottom section 27 is arranged within the frame 1 suiiiciently below the bed bottom section 26 to permit it to carry the bedding 48 which is positioned thereon and secured thereto by an apron 49 which is in turn releasably secured to the frame 30 of this bed bottom section by hooks 50.

Means are provided for raising the bed bottom section 27 into alinement with the bed bottom section 26 during the opening of'the bcd,.and this means comprises arms 51 which are secured, as at 52, to the rail sections 10*. The arms are arranged between .the levers 44 and the lever frame 45, and extend clownwardly and forwardly from'the rail sections 101).

During the opening of the bed, the rail sections 10 more forwardly with respect to the rail sections 10 and 10 until the rear end walls of the slots 14 contact with the screws 15, and thereafter the rail sections 105 and 10 move forwardly in unison with respect to the rail sections 10* until the rear end walls of the slots 12 contact with the screws 11. During the initial forward move ment of the rail sections 10, the arms 51 contact with flanged rollers 53 journaled on the outer sides of the bars 40, with the result that the bed bottom section 27 is raised into position between the rail sections 10*. lVhen the bed bottom section 27 is in this position flanges 54 on the rear ends of the rail sections 10 contact with the rear ends of the bars so that these rail sections will, during the remaining phase of their forward movement, move this bed bottom section forwardly. When the bed is opened, the levers 44 and lever frame incline upwardly and forwardly, and in this position thereof, they hold this bed bottom section in raised position.

The rail sections 1O are provided at their rear ends with flanges 55 which contact with the front ends of the bars 40 so that the bed bottom section 27 will, during the closing of the bed, be moved rearwardly and thereafter downwardly into the frame 1.

It will thus be seen that during the opening 7 of the bed the bed bottom section 26 will move forwardly and that the bed bottom section 27 will move upwardly and thereafter forwardly, and that during the closing of the bed, the bed bottom section 27 will move rearwardly and then downwardly and the bed bottom section 26 will move rearwardly overv thelowered bed bottom section 27. After the bed has been opened, the back 9 is lowered to position the bed bottom section25 in alineinent with the bed bottom sections 26 and 2;.

The back 9 is supported in this position by the pivots 37 and by a bar 56 carried by the free edge of the back and contacting with the bottom walls of the rail sections 10a. When the bed is opened, the side rails 10 are supported intermediate the ends of the side rail sections 10?) and 10 by legs 57 which are connected at their upper ends, as at 58, to the flanges 55 for swinging movement transversely of the side rails 10. The legs 57 are adapted to be raised into a horizontal or inoperative position between the rear ends of the rail sections 10 and are adapted to be lowered into avertical or inoperative position. Spring powered latch bolts 59 which are carried by the legs 57and pass through openings 57a in the legs are adapted to engage notches 60 in the flanges 55 to secure the legs 57 in inoperative position and are adapted to engage the notches 61 in said flanges to secure the legs in operative position.

The bed bottom section 27 is supported in its lowered position within the frame 1 by the levers '44, the lever frame 45, and brackets 62 secured to the rear side of the frame.

When it is desiredjto open the bed, the cushions 8 are removed from the seat 7, the seat 7 is withdrawn andarrangedin its panel forming position on the foot 4, and the foot 1 to extend the side rails 10 to arrange the bed bottom section 26 forwardly beyond the frame and to arrange the bed bottom section ice lGI;

is moved forwardly or away from the frame A 26 in alinement with said first bed bottom section; The back 9 is thenlowered to arrange the bed bottom section 25 in alinement with the bed bottomsections 26 and 27 and thus complete the bed bottom, and thereafter the legs 57 are lowered. and'latched in'such position I g When it is desired to close the bed,'the back 9 is swung into its raised position,and thereafter the foot 4 is moved rearwardly in the direction of the frame 1 to lowerthe bed bottom section 27 into the frame and to arrange the bed, bottom section 26 above the frame and above said first bed bottom section. The seat 7 is then arranged on the frame 1, and thereafter the cushions S are positioned upon the seat.

\Vhile I have descried the principle of the invention, together with the structure which I now consider the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the structure shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made, when desired, as fall witain the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim 1. A folding bed, comprising an open frame, a foot located at the front side of the frame, a foot bottom section secured to the foot and located above the frame, means by which the foot bottom section is mounted for movement forwardly beyond the frame, an intermediate bottom section arranged within the frame below the foot bottom section, means for raising the intermediate bottom section into alinement with the foot bottom section during the movement of the latter forwardly beyond the frame, a head bottom section extendin g upwardly from the rear side of the frame, means by which the head bottom section may be lowered from the upwardly extending raised position into alinement with the intermediate bottom section after the latter has been raised, and means releasably supporting the head bottom section in the upwardly extending raised position.

2. A folding bed, comprising an open frame, a foot located at the front side of the frame, a foot bottom section secured to the foot and located above the frame, means by which the foot bottom section is mounted for movement forwardly beyond the frame, an intermediate bottom section arranged within the framebelow the foot bottom section, means for raising the intermediate bottom section into alinement with the foot bottom section during the movement of the latter forwardly beyond the frame, a head extend ing upwardly from the rear side of the frame and having its upper edge upholstered, arms extending upwardly from the ends of the frame and forwardly from the head and upholstered, the head being provided in its front side with a recess, a head bottom section occupying an upright position in said recess and having its front side upholstered, means pivotally connecting the head bottom section to the frame to permit it to be lowered into alinement with the intermediate bottom section afterthe latter has been raised, means reieasably supporting the head bottom section in upright position, and a seat removably positioned upon the footbottom section.

3. A folding bed, comprising an open frame, a foot located at the front side of the frame, a foot bottom secured to the foot and located above the frame, means by which the foot bottom section is mounted for movement forwardly beyond the frame, an intermediate bottom section arranged within the frame below the foot bottom section, means for raising the intermediate bottom section into alinement with the foot bottom section during the movement of the latter forwardly beyond the frame, a head extending upwardly from the rear side of the frame and having its upper edge upholstered, arms extending upwardly from the ends of the frame and forwardly from the head and upholstered, the head being provided in its front side with a recess, a head bottom section occupying an upright position in said recess and having its front side upholstered, means pivotally connecting the head bottom section to the frame to permit it to be lowered into alinement with the intermediate bottom section after the latter has been raised, means releasably supporting the head bottom section in upright position, a seat removably positioned upon the foot bottom section, and means for supp rting the seat in upright position .on the foot after the latter has been moved forwardly beyond the frame.

4. A folding bed, comprising an open frame, a foot located at the front side .of the frame, a foot bottom section located above the frame and secured to the foot, means supporting the foot bottom section to permit it and the foot to be moved forwardly beyond the frame, an intermediate bottom section arranged within the frame below the foot section, levers pivotally connected to the frame and to the intermediate bottom section to permit this section to be raised into alinement with the foot bottom section during the movement of the latter forwardly beyond the frame, rollers carried by themtel-mediate bottom section, and arms carried by said means and adapted to engage the rollers to effect the raising of the intermediate bottom ection during the movement of the foot bottom section forwardly beyond the frame. 1

5. A folding bed, comprising an open frame, a foot located at the front side of the frame, a foot bottom section located above the frame and secured to the foot, means supporting the foot bottom section to permit it and the foot to be moved forwardly beyond the frame, an intermediate bottom section arranged within the frame below the foot section, levers pivotally connected to the frame and to the intermediate bottom section and adapted when actuated to raise this section into alinement with the foot bottom section, means adapted to actuate the levers during the forward movement of the foot bottom section, a head bottom section extending upwardly from the rear side of the frame, means by which the head bottom section may be lowered from the upwardly extending raised position into alinement with the illtermediate bottom section after the latter has been raised, and means releasably supporting the head'bottom section in the upwardly extending raised position.

6. A. folding bed, comprising foot, head and intermediate side rail sections arranged in telescoped relation, means supporting the head rail sections, a foot located at the front side of said means and secured to the front ends of the foot rail sections, the foot and intermediate rail sections being adapted to be moved into extended position with respect to each other and to the front side of said means, means for limiting the movement of said rail sections in said direction, a foot bottom section secured to and between the foot rail sections, an intermediate bottom section arranged below the foot bottom sect-ion, means for raising the intermediate bottom section into position between the intermediate rail sections during the movement of said rail sections into said extended position, a head bottom section extending upwardly from the rear side of said supporting means, means by which the head bottom section may be lowered from the upwardly extending raised position into position between the head rail sections after the intermediate bottom section has been raised, and means releasably supporting the head bottom section in the upwardly extending raised position.

7. A folding bed, comprising foot, head and intermediate side rail sections arranged in telescoped relation, means supporting the head rail sections, a foot located at the front side of said means and secured to the front ends of the foot rail sections, the foot and intermediate rail sections being adapted to be moved into extended position with respect to each other and to the front side of said means, means for limiting the movement of said rail sections in said direction, a foot bot tom section secured to and between the foot rail sections, an intermediate bottom section arranged below the foot bottom section, front and rear levers pivotally connected to said supporting means and to the intermediate bottom section and adapted when actuated to raise said section into position between the intermediate rail sections, rollers carried by the intermediate bottom section, arms secured to the intermediate rail section and adapted to engage the rollers to effect the raising of the intermediate bottom section during the movement of said rail section into said extended position, a head bottom section extending upwardly from the rear side of the frame, means by which the head bottom section may be lowered from the upwardly extending raised position into alinement With the intermediate bottom section after the latter has been raised, and means releasably supporting the head bottom section in the upwardly extending raised posit-ion.

8. A folding bed, comprising foot, head and intermediate side rail sections arranged in telescoped relation, means supporting the head rail sections, a foot'located at the front side of said means and secured to the front ends of the foot rail sections, the foot and intermediate rail sections being adapted to be moved into extended position with respect to each other and to the front side of said means, means for limiting the movement of said rail sections in said direction, a foot bottom soc ion secured to and between the foot rail sections, an intermediate bottom section arranged below the footbottom section, means for raising the intermediate'bottom section into position between the intermediate rail sections while said rail sections are being moved into saidextended position, a head bottom section extending upwardly from therear side of said supporting means, means by which the head bottom section may be lowered from the upwardly extending raised position into position between the head rail sections after the foot and intermediate rail sections have been moved into said extended position, legs'pivotedto the rear ends of the foot rail sections and occupying a horizontal position between the same, the legs being adapted to be lowered into a vertical position after the foot and intermediate rail sections have been moved into said'extended position, and means for releasably holding the legs in one of said positions.

9. A foldingbed, comprising foot, head and intermediate side rail sections arranged in telescoped relation,meanssupporting the head rail sections, a foot locatedat the front side of said means and secured to. the front ends of the foot rail sections, the foot and intermediate rail sections being adapted to be moved into. extended position with respect to each other and to the front side of said means, means for limiting the movement of said rail sections in said direction, a foot bottom section secured to and between the foot rail sections, an intermediate bottom section arranged below the foot bottom section, means for raising the intermediate bottom section into position between the intermediate rail sections while said rail sec tions are being moved into said extended position, a head bottom section extending up? 'wardly from the rear'sid'e-of said supporting means,-means by which the headbottom section may be lowered fromthe upwardly extending raised position into position between the head rail sections after the foot and intermediate rail sections have been moved into said extended position, means releasably supporting the head bottom section-in the upwardly extending raised position, a tube secured to and between'the rear ends of the foot rail sections, a shaft journaled in the tube, and pinions carried by the ends of the tube, the intermediate rail sections being provided with openings for the reception of the teeth of the pinions, said pinions permitting these rail sections to be moved forwardly and rearwardly without binding.

10. A folding bed, comprising foot, head and intermediate side rail sections arranged in telescoped relation, means supporting the head rail sections, a foot located at the front side of said means and secured to the front ends of the foot rail sections, the foot and intermediate rail sections being adapted to be moved into extended position with respect to each other and to the front side of said means, means for limitin the movement of said rail sections in said direction, a foot bottom section secured to and between the foot rail sections, an intermediate bottom section arranged below the foot bottom section, means for raising the intermediate bottom section into position between the intermediate rail sections while said rail sections are being moved into said extended position, a head bottom section extending upwardly from the rear side of said supporting means, means by which the head bottom section may be lowered from the upwardly extending raised position into position between the head rail sections after the foot and intermediate rail sections have been moved into said extended position, means releasably supporting the head bottom section in the upwardly extending raised position, and flanges on the rear ends of the intermediate rail sections for contact with the rear side of the intermediate bottom section when said latter section is in raised position.

11. A folding bed, comprising foot, head and intermediate side rail sections arranged in telescoped relation, means supportingthe head rail sections, afoot located atthe front side of said means and secured to the front ends of the foot rail sections, the foot and intermediate rail sections being adapted to be moved into extended position with respect to each other and to the front side of said means, means for limiting the movement of said rail sections in said direction, a foot bottom section secured to and between the foot rail sections, an intermediate bottom section arranged below the foot bottom section, means for raising the intermediate bottom section into position between the intermedi ate rail sections while said sections are being moved into said extended position, a headbottom section extending upwardly from the rear side of said supporting means, means by which the head bottom section may be lowered from the upwardly extending raised position into position between the head rail sections after the foot and intermediate rail sections have been moved into said extended position, means releasably supporting the head bottom section in the upwardly extending raised position, flanges on' the rear ends of the intermediate rail sections for contact with the rear side of the intermediate bottom section when said latter section is in raised position, and flanges on the rear ends of the foot rail sections for contact with the front side of the intermediate bottom section when said latter section is raised.

12. A folding bed, comprising foot, head and intermediate side rail sections arranged in telescopic relation, means supporting the head rail sections, a foot located at the front side of said means and secured to the front ends of the foot rail sections, the foot and intermediate rail sections being adapted to be moved into extended position with respect to each other and to the front side of said means, means for limiting the movement of said rail sections in said direction, a foot bottom section secured to and between the foot rail sections, an intermediate bottom section arranged below the foot bottom section, means for raising the intermediate bottom section into position between the intermediate rail sections while said sections are being moved into said extended position, a head bottom section extending upwardly from the rear side of said supporting means, means by which the head bottom section may be lowered from the upwardly extending raised po sition into position between the head rail sections after the foot and intermediate rail sections are moved into said extended position, means releasably supporting the head bottom section in the upwardly extending raised position, flanges on the rear ends of the intermediate rail sections for contact with the rear side of the intermediate bottom section when said latter section is in raised position, flanges on the rear ends of the foot rail sections for contact with the front side of the intermediate bottom'section when said latter section is raised, legs pivoted to said last flanges and occupying a horizontal position between the foot rail sections, the legs being adapted to be lowered into vertical position when said last rail sections and the intermediate rail sections have been moved into extended relation with respect to the frame, and means for releasably securing the legs in either of said positions.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature.

ROBERT H. HUlCHINS. 

